Yakima County Panel will Investigate Complaints About Clerk

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — A special panel in Yakima County will investigate complaints about the county clerk's office.

The Yakima Herald reports that county commissioners appointed three people to the panel following a series of complaints about how Clerk Janelle Riddle is running the office.

The panel includes former Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney and U.S. Attorney Jeff Sullivan, Yakima attorney Dick Johnson and local accountant Abby Sanders. Commissioner Kevin Bouchey says the panelists were selected for their experience and knowledge of government offices.

Officials expect the in-depth the investigation to be finished by the end of May, before work begins on the county's 2017 operating budget.

Riddle said last month she welcomed the investigation. She didn't return phone calls seeking comment Tuesday.